Secretary Sebelius addressed the researchers at the Network’s Annual Steering Committee meeting this month. The Network, established by the NICHD and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, seeks to prevent maternal and infant deaths and illnesses worldwide. Scientists from developing countries, together with those in the United States, lead teams that identify the health needs of an area and address those needs through randomized clinical trials to test treatments and interventions.

Secretary Sebelius commended the network researchers on their efforts, including a study that found a low cost drug to treat severe bleeding in women who have just given birth and their success in training health workers to resuscitate newborns.

She urged the attendees to communicate their findings to health officials in developing countries and to work with governments to create strong research partnerships. The Secretary also asked the Network to take on new challenges, such as finding ways to eliminate indoor air pollution from cooking fires and combat water borne diseases.

“There’s no wiser investment we can make than one in mothers and children,” she said.

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About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute’s Web site at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/.